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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:50 pm
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 6:16 am
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:46 pm
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 6:42 am
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:37 am
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:46 am
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:13 pm
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I understand what you're saying. My church is a small, and there are at least two guys who are close to me, but just go to church to socialize. It makes me sad too, and I've been thinking recently about preaching them personally. They might ask me why am I preaching Christ to them, but of course, I'll answer that such is my duty.
There are those who will come saying: "Hey, you shouldn't force Jesus down others' throats." And I have the same answer for them: The world is already forcing its religion unto others. Plus, I learned a really interesting verse in my devotions that I used once in a sermon: "You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious" (Ezekiel 2:7).
In other words, there are no valid "don't force religion on them!" arguments here: It is God Himself comanding me to preach the Word, whether they listen or not. And of course: It is right in God's eyes to obey Him rather than the world (Acts 4:19).
3nodding
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Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:38 am
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I know many people who are "religious" but not exactly Christian. I know many who have a personal relationship with Christ, but often fail to show Christ to others. If that is what you mean by "almost Christian", I believe there are many, many people who have a long way to go in following God in their own hearts.
I'd go as far as to say we are ALL incomplete in our paths as Christian. Some may be farther along than others, but each and every one of us is on a journey to grow. Yes, you may know people who go through the motions of religion and don't seem to be making a deep connection. Who knows? Maybe you come off that way to others.
All we can do to truly live up to the name Christian is strive to be Christ at all times. We're going to fail. But in the trying, we get closer to God and who He wants us to be. So if you see people acting that way - live by example. Maybe they'll notice, and maybe that will be more effective than directly commenting on their behavior. OR, maybe directly speaking to them about it IS the best way to approach them - pray about it first.
As far as "forcing religion"..... I maintain my heartfelt philosophy of "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." Nexius is quite right in saying God does command us to preach the Word, and it is our duty to uphold that. There are different ways of preaching the Word, but in the end, that is what we should be striving to do at all times.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:35 pm
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First of all, thank you for your sound advice. Secondly, by "almost Christians" (Which I now realize is an extremely poor word choice.) I meant what you said about being religious but not exactly Christian. Thirdly, I think I totally agree with you in saying that we are all incomplete in our paths as a Christian. I'm know for sure I still have a long walk ahead of me!! Sometimes, I feel as if I come off as religious to others, which is what I desperately DON'T want to come off as, so I guess we don't always know exactly what is in people's hearts. Only God does! What is the most difficult thing, is explaining and distinguishing the difference between having a real relationship with Christ, and just being "religious". That is what we must try to distinguish and discover, then convey in an understandable way. However, this is MUCH MUCH MUCH easier said, then done. Ablazed I know many people who are "religious" but not exactly Christian. I know many who have a personal relationship with Christ, but often fail to show Christ to others. If that is what you mean by "almost Christian", I believe there are many, many people who have a long way to go in following God in their own hearts. I'd go as far as to say we are ALL incomplete in our paths as Christian. Some may be farther along than others, but each and every one of us is on a journey to grow. Yes, you may know people who go through the motions of religion and don't seem to be making a deep connection. Who knows? Maybe you come off that way to others. All we can do to truly live up to the name Christian is strive to be Christ at all times. We're going to fail. But in the trying, we get closer to God and who He wants us to be. So if you see people acting that way - live by example. Maybe they'll notice, and maybe that will be more effective than directly commenting on their behavior. OR, maybe directly speaking to them about it IS the best way to approach them - pray about it first. As far as "forcing religion"..... I maintain my heartfelt philosophy of "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." Nexius is quite right in saying God does command us to preach the Word, and it is our duty to uphold that. There are different ways of preaching the Word, but in the end, that is what we should be striving to do at all times.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:43 pm
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Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:49 am
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Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:12 pm
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:12 pm
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I used to be an almost Christian as well, when I was much younger, a kid in fact. I still went to church, but I didn't really believe what was going on, I went only because my parents went. Anyway, I hated Sunday School because I felt that I didn't belong there. That's why I stopped going to Church.
However, when I got into my teens, we moved, and my parents encouraged my brother and I to go to the church down the road, since we had nothing better to do, so we went. It was there that I really experienced God first-hand during a youth camp, and I've re-dedicated my life to God since then.
For those people who know almost-Christians, at least it's a first step for them, that they are coming to church. As long as we keep praying for them, maybe God would break into their hearts and they would be willing to accept him and live on as a Christian. We have to put our faith in God, it's hard, I know, but we have to, because after all, God is all powerful, unlike puny us.
I also know an almost Christian from my school as well. She knows about the Christian beliefs and that Christ saved her from an eternity in hell, but she doesn't go to church. Her parents are non-Christians and they don't encourage her to go. I'm starting to pray for her as well, so that she too will be saved, by the grace of God.
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:50 pm
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:35 pm
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